☆ESTHER.G: Taiwan 2013

Taiwan Day 3: 24/07/2013

Kenting

Set off early as we're heading to Kenting today!!!!

Super excited cos Kenting is right beside the sea and of course we'd be doing some water sport!

However, that'll be kept for tomorrow where we have the whole day. Today, all we're doing is travelling and more travelling!

How we travel to Taichung HSR is the same as the day before.

We walked back to the same place but crossed the road and took the HSR shuttle bus. This time round was free as we are gna take HSR today so we just have to show the driver our HSR ticket.

Bus service number was #160 and it took less than an hour before we arrive at Taichung HSR.

Early breakfast at Taichung HSR where we are gna take the HSR to Zuoying (Kaohsiung).

In case you need to rent the lockers. We finally found the lockers that day while exploring and here's the T&Cs.

My boy looking all hyped and ready to have some fun in Kenting!

Look at the amount of room space we have in the HSR. We can both place our luggage in front of us while seated.

Of course if you feel uncomfortable, you can store your luggage in front of the cabin.

Kenting here we come!

Our train ride to Zuoying (Kaoshiung) from Taichung took about an hour and our HSR ticket costs NT$510/pax after 35% Early Bird discount.

After our train ride, we have to travel by car to Kenting which is about 3 hours. We arranged our transport with the minsu and it was actually a package we bought for the sight-seeing later today that includes 2-way transfer from Zuoying HSR (Kaohsiung) to the minsu door-step. Package costs around NT$1800/pax, which includes the 2-way transfer, 4-hrs of sight-seeing (round trip).

However, the transfer service is only valid from 09:00 to 15:00 as it would be a few hours drive through and fro hence I guess the driver is not able to pick-up too late.

A van came to pick us up together with other tourists. They seem more like locals but going to Kenting for a short getaway during their summer vacation.
It was a tough ride as we are being squashed up at the back seat and it was a long journey. Though the driver was really kind and did stopped for us to get refreshments and go to the toilet.

Finally when we arrived at our minsu, I finally met the kind minsu owner whom I have been exchanging emails with. She quickly got us checked-in and confirmed with us the packages that I bought as well as arranging the transport. Along the way she also gave us suggestions on where to visit etc.

Our Princess Room (really, that's the name of the room) which is at level 1 right behind the reception.

Watching Running Man and resting cos we arranged our 4-hrs sight-seeing to be at 15:00.

With the minsu pet dog name Daniel. He is super shy and owner said he usually would not let strangers carry.

A limousine came to pick us up outside our minsu and we feel so pampered to be sitting in a limousine! Only 2 of us! Like we had a personal driver. I mean we do but, feels like we're some rich people.

First place the driver brought us to was to this dam where the colour flowing our was turquoise but the sea is blue.

It made me think really hard on how this is possible and it was really beautiful.

Look at the difference in the colour!

Up next the driver drove us to this place where we have to climb to the top of a cliff to look towards the sea. We would be able to spot another cliff that resembles the shape of a cat. That's why the name is called Mao Bi Hu.

I am not sure but this is supposed to be it. To me it doesn't really look like a cat, nor a dog.

OOTD for today's travel.

You guessed it right, we took the mini-submarine.

It was impromptu cos the driver ask us if we wna take the sub-marine before the sunset cos there's still some time.

And Jz said previously while he was doing his research he found from someone's blog saying that we can take the submarine down to see the seabed. So we are quite excited when the driver asked. He also took the trouble to call up and ask if we can go over as they are supposed to be closing.

Our ticket costs NT$350/pax and we're the only 2 who boarded the submarine. Like we owned the whole damn thing.

Ok to be honest, we were literally bored to death. Not only did we see NOTHING at all, the whole journey was super long and I was feeling a lil nauseous sitting at the bottom and slowly swaying.
Not sure if its because the sun is setting and it's getting dark, we barely see anything. The seabed was very cloudy and hence everything was in a blur. Not only that, no fishes were found at all.

Hence throughout the whole trip I was sleeping.And trying to clear my mind and not feel so nauseous. The only good thing is there is aircon inside and I fell asleep quite smoothly.

Next stop: watch the sun set.

We caught the sunrise yesterday and today, we caught the sunset. Really felt v blessed for the opportunity.

Our last stop is this place where it is super dark and we are able to put the fireworks!

We aren't very excited about this and when we arrive at the place, everywhere is pitch black. There's a few van that were set up as business where they sell fire crackers and whatsnot.

We bought mini fireworks to try since we're already there and head down where there is an empty space for people to play with the fires.

It was a really thrilling experience. Because it was our first time, we didn't expect what the outcome would be or the degree of explosion. So we just go to somewhere where there is lesser people and set up the fireworks. When Jz light up the firework, there's a mini explosion followed by a shoot. And then the fireworks in the sky.

It was a really short one like 1-2secs but it was really thrilling cos both of us were caught off guard. It was dark and we couldn't see how fast the rope will burn to finally hit the gun powder. And because of the mini explosion, everyone was looking and when they fireworks came off, everyone applauded and cheered. It feels good.